STATEMENT BY THE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
During the Vienna June 22, 2006, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs made a statement on their proposed
key principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and their
further activities.
Bellow is the statement of the MG co-chairs posted on the website of
the US Embassy in Armenia:
Mr. Chairmen, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In November last year the Minsk Group Co-Chairs reported to this
Council that the two sides in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were
poised to make a transition from negotiating to decision-making and
that a historic breakthrough in the settlement of the conflict was
possible in 2006. During the past seven months, we intensified our
mediation efforts and worked hard to achieve the agreement of both
sides on basic principles for a settlement.
We visited Baku and Yerevan three times together and several more
times separately, organized two meetings of the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan and two summits between Presidents
Kocharian and Aliyev – first in Rambouillet in February and then in
Bucharest in early June.
For the first time since 1997, when the current format of the
Co-Chairmanship of the Minsk Group was established, a joint Mission
of Representatives of the Co-Chair countries at the Deputy Foreign
Minister level traveled to the region in May in order to make clear to
the presidents of both countries that 2006 is the necessary window of
opportunity for reaching an agreement on Nagorno- Karabakh. In fact,
the delegation of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoriy Karasin,
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried, and high-ranking
French diplomat Pierre Morel – representing French Political Director
Stanislaus de Laboulaye – told the two Presidents that our three
countries expected them to take advantage of this opportunity by
reaching an agreement on core principles for a settlement at their
Bucharest summit in early June.
Our deputy ministers told the two Presidents that an agreement on
basic principles now, before the July G8 Summit in St. Petersburg,
would secure broad international support and a high level of
financial assistance for postconflict reconstruction and peacekeeping
activities. We stressed – as always – the belief of our nations and,
more widely, of the international community that the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict can be resolved in no other way than a peaceful one. Moreover,
we stressed that both leaders need to prepare their publics for peace
and not for war.
Mr. Chairman, our deputy ministers proposed to Presidents Aliyev and
Kocharian a set of core principles that we believe are fair, balanced,
workable, and that could pave the way for the two sides to draft a
far-reaching settlement agreement. We continue to believe in these
principles, and we urge the Presidents to embrace them as the basis
for an agreement.
Unfortunately, the Presidents chose not to reach such an agreement
in Bucharest. As mediators in this process, we will not breach the
confidentiality of their sensitive diplomatic dialogue, as we continue
to hope that they will reach an agreement.
At this juncture, though, it is our responsibility to you,
Mr. Chairman, to this Council that has provided the funding for a very
intensive series of negotiations, to the international community, and –
perhaps most importantly – to the publics in Armenia and Azerbaijan,
to acquaint you with the basic principles that we have put on the
table for the consideration of the two Presidents. We note that the
principles the Co-Chair countries proposed to the two Presidents were
not developed in a vacuum, but follow on to nine years of detailed
proposals that have been advanced by our predecessors. Even though
3 those proposals were not accepted by the parties, that work of our
predecessors gave us important insights and foundations.
Our approach has been a modified one: we have not tried to solve all
aspects of the conflict in one phase. Instead, our principles seek
to achieve a major degree of progress but defer some very difficult
issues to the future and envision further negotiations. In sum, they
try to solve – in a practical, balanced way – what is immediately
solvable. These principles include the phased redeployment of Armenian
troops from Azerbaijani territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, with
special modalities for Kelbajar and Lachin districts.
Demilitarization of those territories would follow. A referendum or
population vote would be agreed, at an unspecified future date, to
determine the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh. The sides would
commit to further negotiations to define the timing and modalities
of such a referendum or population vote.
Certain interim arrangements for Nagorno-Karabakh would allow
for interaction with providers of international assistance. An
international peacekeeping force would be deployed. A joint commission
would be created to implement the agreement. International financial
assistance would be made available for demining, reconstruction, and
resettlement of internally displaced persons in the formerly occupied
territories and the war-affected regions of Nagorno-Karabakh. The sides
would renounce the use or threat of use of force, and international
and bilateral security guarantees and assurances would be put in
place. We note with respect to the idea of a referendum or population
vote to determine the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh that
such a vote would be the product of a negotiated agreement between
the two sides. Suitable pre-conditions for such a vote would have
to be achieved so that the vote would take place in a non-coercive
environment in which well-informed citizens have had ample opportunity
to consider their positions after a vigorous debate in the public
arena.
Mr. Chairman, this is what we have proposed to the two Presidents,
but they failed to agree. Nonetheless, we have heard both sides
say repeatedly that they have never before been so close to an
agreement. It would be a tragically wasted opportunity for the two
Presidents to let this window of opportunity close in 2006 without
even the basic principles in place for a future peace agreement
for Nagorno-Karabakh. As you know, election cycles are approaching,
first in Armenia and then in Azerbaijan during 2007-2008. We have
seen before the negative effect that national elections can have on
negotiations, and we continue to believe that now is the time for the
two Presidents to summon the political will to take a courageous step
forward together toward peace.
Mr. Chairman, as Co-Chairs, we have reached the limits of our
creativity in the identification, formulation, and finalization of
these principles. We do not believe additional alternatives advanced by
the mediators through additional meetings with the sides will produce
a different result. We hope that the Permanent Council will join us
in urging the parties to the conflict to reach an agreement as soon
as possible based on the core principles we have recommended. If the
two sides are unable to agree on those principles we have put forward,
we believe it is now contingent upon them to work together to reach
an alternative agreement that both find acceptable. We remain ready to
assist. As mediators, however, we cannot make the difficult decisions
for the parties.
We think the parties would be well-served at this point by allowing
their publics to engage in a robust discussion of the many viewpoints
on these issues. We are confident that neither society wants renewed
conflict, and we urge the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to
work with their publics and to work with each other to formulate an
agreement on core principles that both find acceptable. Ultimately, it
is the two sides that will be held accountable by their peoples and by
the international community if their actions lead to war and not peace.
Mr. Chairman, we see no point right now in continuing the intensive
shuttle diplomacy we have engaged in over the past several months. We
also see no point in initiating further presidential meetings until the
sides demonstrate enough political will to overcome their remaining
differences. Of course, the Co-Chairs will remain available to both
parties to serve faithfully and impartially as mediators. Acting
in complete unity among the mediators, we have delivered a product
reflecting our best efforts, and we strongly believe that it is now
time for the two Presidents to take the initiative for achieving a
breakthrough in the settlement process. It is the only way to secure
the positive results already achieved through the last two years of
negotiations, in order not to restart them later from scratch. We
will remain vigilant. We will continue our analysis and close
consultations among ourselves in our unified and effective framework,
in our continuing capacity as Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group, supported
by Ambassador Kasprzyk and his team. We will be ready to reengage if
indeed the parties decide to pursue the talks with the political will
that has thus far been lacking.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we would like to express our sincere
gratitude to the Chairman in Office, Minister de Gucht, whose close
interest and constant attention to the issues of the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement, including his introductory remarks before the last meeting
of two Presidents in Bucharest, have contributed greatly to our work
in the first half of 2006.

SECURING AN OVERLAND CORRIDOR BETWEEN ARMENIA AND KARABAKH SHOULD BE ONE OF THE KEY POINTS OF REGULATION
Armenian Foreign Ministry Statement
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
Taking into account the statement that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group presented to the OSCE Permanent Council, in Vienna, on June
22, and the interview that Matt Bryza, the new US co-chair gave soon
thereafter, where albeit partially, the principles of the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict were revealed for the first time,
and also taking into account the recent desperate calls by Azerbaijan
for a military solution and autonomy for Nagorno Karabakh, we would
like to make several observations.
1. The co-chairs have partially revealed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
resolution principles; they have left out references to a corridor
linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, and issues relating to Nagorno
Karabakh’s status until a referendum;
2. The co-chairs have, for the first time, affirmed that the people
of Nagorno Karabakh shall determine their own future status through
a referendum;
3. Those items over which the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
continue to disagree does not include a referendum; that concept has
been agreed to by the presidents; The area of disagreement between
the presidents has to do with the sequence in which the consequences
of the military conflict are removed;
4. In an attempt to resolve this remaining area of disagreement, a
proposal was made by the co-chairs after Rambouillet. This proposal
was accepted by Armenia in Bucharest. Azerbaijan rejected it.
5. Armenia finds that the basic principles, overall, on the table today
remain a serious basis for continuing negotiations; Armenia is prepared
to continue on that basis to continue to negotiate with Azerbaijan;
6. Armenia believes that Azerbaijan’s wavering on these principles
is a serious obstacle to progress in the negotiations. If this
policy continues, Armenia will insist that Azerbaijan conduct direct
negotiations with Nagorno Karabakh.
7. Finally, we would remind Azerbaijan once again that regardless
of the size of their military budget, they cannot force the
people of Nagorno Karabakh to renounce freedom and the right to
self-determination.

YOUNG PEOPLE VOICE RESENTMENT
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
“The ruffianly acts in Istanbul during the visit of Armenian Catholicos
Karekin II are a resentful savagery that need to be condemned. Overt
calls for intolerance, vandalism and violence bring to naught the
legends about “civilized and europized” Turkey,” reads a statement made
by 30 youth organization and presented yesterday by “Nikol Aghbalian”
youth wing of Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
Head of “Nikol Aghbalian”, Ishghan Saghatelian, thinks that this
savagery is the continuation of 1915, Sumgait, Ramil Safarov and
Jugha. If one of those were halted in time such things would not
happen today. The initiators informed that they had applied to the
Mother See for an audience with His Holiness upon his return to find
out details. Karen Avagian, head of the Armenian Republican Party’s
youth wing, says that these actions show that Turkey is not ready
for relations with us.
Authors of the statement expect and demand that the world community,
particularly the EU, response and condemn “the march aimed at
terrorizing the Armenian Church and trampling the rights and religious
freedom of Christian citizens of Turkey.”

PUTIN: SOME VIEW STRONG AND REVIVING RUSSIA AS A THREAT
By Petros Keshishian
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
Speaking at the council of Russian ambassadors on June 27, president
Vladimir Putin of Russia touched upon Russia’s role and place in a
monopolar world and CIS.
In the presence of 200 diplomats Putin advised the USA to treat Russia
as an equal partner, not to build up new walls in the place of the
“iron curtain” and think over prolonging the ban on assault weapons
production.
In Putin’s words, some states still live with prejudices of the
past. They “view strong and reviving Russia as a threat.” Some are
ready to accuse Russia of “new imperial ambitions and energetic
terror.”
Moscow will continue its peacekeeping mission in Abkhazia “despite
clear provocations.” Hinting at Ukraine, Putin expressed surprise
that passing to market prices for Russian gas can meet such a fierce
opposition.
Reminding that the West used to urge the USSR to remove the “iron
curtain” – the obstacle to human contact – Putin called on USA and
other states to build relations with Russia based on honesty and give
up any pretence of privileged position in these relations.
The Russian president thinks that after the collapse of bipolar
world order new improbabilities have emerged. Underscoring Russia-USA
relations for strategic stability, he called for a joint fight against
terror and building relations based on mutual respect.
“Russia does not need any kind of clash. And we will not take part
in any ‘holy treaty’,” Russian president stated.

GEORGIAN FAM: GROWING NUMBER OF CHECKPOINTS ON GEORGIAN-ARMENIAN BORDER INCREASES CARRYING CAPACITY
By Aghavni Harutyunian in Tbilisi
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
After signing an intergovernmental agreement on joint fight against
vehicle hijackers and return of hijacked transport means, Georgian
and Armenian foreign ministers spoke to a press conference on June 27.
Vartan Oskanian and Gela Bezhuashvili also expressed condolence to
Russia over the deaths of Russian diplomats in Iraq and went on to
answer media’s questions.
In Gela Bezhuashvili’s words, from $300 million package of the
Millennium Challenges Corporation allocated to Georgia the government
is going to assign $102 million for reconstruction of road network
in Javakhk and also include the region in $49.5 million project for
development of small and average business.
10-15 percent of local population is going to be engaged in the
construction works that will be carried out by tender-winning
companies. The overall investments in the region for 3 years will
amount to $200 million. An Azerbaijani journalist from ANS TV availed
himself an opportunity to ask Vartan Oskanian why Armenia does not
follow the UN resolution and liberate “the territories”, Armenian
FM said that if carefully read one will see that there are no words
about Armenia being an occupant of any lands in the resolution.
Answering daily Azg’s question on growing number of checkpoints on
the Armenian-Georgian border, Gela Bezhuashvili said that they are
currently carrying out demarcation of the border. “As to the number
of checkpoints, they simply increase carrying capacity on the border
as military equipment and personnel are being transported to Armenia
from Russian bases. I do not rule out that the number of checkpoints
will further grow once we settle demarcation issues and I see nothing
problematic in this.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIA, USA AND ITALY ARE LEADERS IN PRODUCING WEAPONS
By Petros Keshishian
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
The annual report of the Geneva Based International Research Institute
reveals that Russia, USA and Italy are world leaders in producing
weapons.
According to the report, Germany, Brazil and China are also among
the world leaders of weapon production. The report stated that
such countries like Singapore, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Iran, Israel and
China are engaged in trade of weapon. But these countries hide their
activities connected with the weapon trade.
USA, Cyprus and Germany are main exporters of firearms. Such unstable
countries as Iraq and Afghanistan also trade in firearms, getting
considerable assistance from USA and Europe.
According to the report, the world firearms illegal trade annual
turnover amounts to about $4 billion, while the legal trade turnover
totals to $1 billion.
But these data are approximate, as few countries publish definite
information about their firearms trade turnover.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF ARTSAKH TOURS YEREVAN
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
“One Nation, One Culture” All-Armenian Cultural Festival dedicated
the evening of June 27 to classical music. The chamber orchestra
of Artsakh headed by conductor Gevorg Muradian performed Komitas,
Vividly and Bach at “Aram Khachaturian” concert hall.
Before their trip to Yerevan the chamber orchestra with the assistance
of Archbishop Pargev Martirosian, head of Artsakh diocese, made a
pilgrimage to Martakert dedicated to John the Baptist and afterwards
toured to Berdzor. Gevorg Muradian promised to perform a few concerts
a year in Berdzor.
Founded in September 2004, the orchestra enjoys the support of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union. AGBU not only grants financial
support to its members but also cares for public utilities of those
musicians who moved to Artsakh from Yerevan. Yet, the chamber orchestra
is enrolling Artsakhi musicians with every day.

MOSCOW IS WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CITY
By Petros Keshishian
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
Moscow occupied the first place in the list of the most expensive
cities of the world elaborated by Mercer Human Resources Consulting. In
2005, Tokyo occupied the first place, while Moscow was on the second
place. This year the second place in the list belongs to the Seoul,
which is the most expensive city in Asia.
The cheapest city in the world is Asuncion, capital of Paraguay.
The Times wrote that in fact, there are two Moscows, the first one
for the oligarchs and the rich foreigners, while the second one is
for the rest of the common Moscow residents.
The research was made in 144 cities of the world. The experts took
into account the prices for over 200 goods and services.

ALBUM OF ARMENIAN PALEOGRAPHY
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
A new precious publication – Album of Armenian Paleography – by
famous Armenologists Michael Stone, Tigran Guyumtchian and Hening
Lenman will see the light soon at “Tigran Mets” publishing house.
Published by the Aarhus University Press in 2002, the English volume
was dedicated to the memory of Mesrop Mashtots, founder of the
Armenian alphabet.
Translation of this 554-page book was ordered by the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin. Head of “Tigran Mets”, Vrezh Markosian, said that
publishing is already over and they are working on the cover.

SECOND PAN-ARMENIAN CONGRESS OF YOUNG WRITERS KICK OFF
AZG Armenian Daily
29/06/2006
The second pan-Armenian jamboree of young writers kicked off yesterday
in Tsakhkadzor. 45 participants from Armenia, Artsakh, Georgia,
Iran and Syria gathered for the event that will last till June 30.
Presentations of a new newspaper of young writers, “Gretert”, and
“Mutq” book of reviews took place yesterday as well as 3 writers were
awarded “Iren Gyulnazarian” prize.